The year 2008 marked the
150th anniversary of a Jewish
presence in Saint John.
Beginning with the
arrival of Solomon and Alice
Hart and their children in
1858, the city has seen the
arrival of hundreds of Jews
from all parts of Europe.
Many merely passed through on

their way to other centres,
some stayed only a few years,
some stayed for a lifetime
and others for generations.
Although never large by the
standards of many Jewish
communities, those men and
women who chose to live here
made an impact in the city -
as individuals, as merchants

and as leaders within and
outside the Jewish community.
From the Jewish ghetto along
Main Street in the North End,
through Dock Street and up
King and Union Streets,
Jewish stores abounded with
clothing, shoes, groceries,
furniture and other goods.
Many plied their skills as

tailors and small
manufacturers. Service
organizations welcomed them
to their membership and
Jewish organizations made
headlines in their own right.
Jewish meetings and community
events were covered in the
newspapers and satisfied the
curiosity of many who were